Paris may be known as the romantic City of Light, but a wealth of adventure also awaits you when you spend time exploring this fascinating city. Your Paris vacation will leave you thirsting to know more about what this beautiful city has to offer beyond its most popular attractions.

Spend time strolling the boulevards, streets, alleys, courtyards, quarters, and gardens of Paris, or take in popular tourist attractions such as the Eiffel Tower or the Can-Can dancers at the Moulin Rouge. As you stroll along the bank of the River Seine, the historic architecture will inspire you to learn more about Paris, the rest of France, and even Europe as a whole. Disneyland Paris and Parc Astérix are within easy reach of the city, and the metro is an efficient and speedy way to travel around.

The Palace of Versailles was home to the Sun King, Louis XIV, and this grandiose structure and its beautiful gardens thrill any visitor. Follow up your Versailles trip with an excursion to the site of the famed French fortress and prison, the Bastille. The Bastille Opera House, built in 1989, is now the predominant structure in this area and has a fresh, modern appeal. The Opera House is home to the Paris National Opera, although a variety of performances are staged within the three theaters of this unique building.

If you choose to take a trip on one of the popular riverboat tours of Paris, you will catch a glimpse of a variety of the city’s famous sights and ancient monuments.

Keen shoppers will adore the opportunity to browse a huge range of products available in this city of design, style, and elegance.

Touring Europe can be the vacation of a lifetime, and Paris should definitely be on your itinerary. Booking accommodations online gives you the opportunity to select from a wide variety of different places to stay. You can choose how long you spend in each city, and short-term rentals give you the opportunity to explore different neighborhoods and a number of countries while traveling.

If you want visit Los Angeles on a budget, consider booking your own accommodations online where you can find cheap apartments in a variety neighborhoods. A number of entertainment options in the City of Angels are free, giving you the opportunity to explore the city to the fullest.

Some of the top free visitor attractions that Los Angeles has to offer include:

A great place for the kids is the California Science Center, which is known for being very “hands-on”. It has an IMAX 3D theatre, excellent exhibitions and houses the Space Shuttle Endeavour.

The Getty Center is a must see for all lovers of visual art.

Why not take a drive along the Pacific Coast Highway and get a real feel for the Los Angeles lifestyle?

If you feel like spotting a movie star or two, why not check out Rodeo Drive? For the more literal star gazers there’s the Griffith Observatory, where you can find out about the stars and planets in the night skies;

Check out the art neighborhoods in this busy city or stroll along Sunset Strip to absorb the sights and culture of Hollywood;

It goes without saying that you can shop ’til you drop in a variety of different LA neighborhoods, and you are sure to appreciate the vibrant cultural scene in and around the city;

If you enjoy hiking, running, or biking, check out the Runyon Canyon trails. You will find three entrances to this park, two on the south side and one on the northern end of the canyon. A variety of trails around the park provide opportunities to see the local landscape. Strategic observation points allow you to see for miles from some areas of the park. Some areas of the park allow off-leash dogs, so your hound can enjoy the exercise, too.

You will find luxury rentals, short term rentals, or cheap apartments offered in a number of Los Angeles neighborhoods, so why not head down to explore the wild chaparral to the utmost?

Visiting Africa may be your dream trip of a lifetime, and if you are vacationing in Nairobi, Kenya, the following visitor attractions are well worth seeing.

The proximity of City Safari/Nairobi National Park means that you can hop in a cab or take a bus directly to your private safari, with no need to travel through the bush. This wildlife park has lions, buffaloes, cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, hippos, and gazelles in an interesting setting. Watch from the comfort of the Giraffe Manor Hotel as curious giraffes spy on you through the windows, or see the animal keepers take orphaned rhinos and elephants for a daily mud bath.

The Maasai Market offers a number of African souvenirs for purchase, and you will undoubtedly adore the wide variety of traditional crafts available at this traditional marketplace.

Visit the Kazuri Bead Factory and Pottery Center to watch the skilled locals craft pottery or leather goods. These artisans are happy to show you how they make their traditional goods. The factory is open seven days a week and offers tours of the factory.

Uhuru Gardens, a large memorial park situated on Lang’ata Road, displays a variety of artistic representations of the history of Kenya, including the Fountain monuments.

A trip to the Great Rift Valley and Lake Victoria will provide a fascinating glimpse into the real Africa. Lake Victoria is the second largest freshwater lake in the world. Enjoy a steamer trip across the lake as you step back in time to the days of the great explorers and abundant wildlife.

You can book your holiday apartment rentals to suit your pocketbook. Cheap apartments or luxury rentals are available in a number of locations around Nairobi, and you can discover the wonders of Kenya on your own time.

Ireland is a wonderful place for a vacation, and the beautiful historic city of Dublin has plenty of holiday apartments if you’re looking for a self-catering place to stay. You’ll enjoy the unique culture and entertainment scene to the full in Dublin, and will soon find that sipping a pint of creamy Guinness becomes a natural part of your day.

Some of the best attractions in Dublin are:

The Little Museum of Dublin – a Georgian house that has been converted into a museum and that guides you through the history of Dublin in the 20th century. The museum is open daily and there are guided tours. You’ll find over 5,000 exhibits on display in this fascinating attraction, which has been nominated for the European Museum of the Year Award.

Bram Stoker was an Irish writer, so what could be more natural while staying in Dublin than a visit to the Bram Stoker Dracula Experience? Castle Dracula is situated close to the home in which Bram Stoker was born, and you’ll discover a host of historic links between his Dracula creation and the life he experienced in Ireland. Your visit to Castle Dracula will be an enjoyable romp with costumed hosts, but you’ll also be educated on the Dracula story and just how events in Irish history influenced Bram Stoker to write his masterpiece.

Dublin Castle was established in 1204 and no visit to Dublin is complete without a glimpse of this brooding monument. You can tour the castle gardens, visit the museums or take a tour of the State Apartments. You’re sure to enjoy finding out about this historic castle, which is arguably the most important building in Dublin.

If you arrange your own vacation accommodations in Dublin you can choose to stay in any neighborhood, and stay in cheap apartments, short-term rentals or luxury apartment homes featuring every possible amenity you desire.

No visit to Barcelona is complete without exploring some of the fantastic architectural creations of Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí.

You will thrill at the sight of the beautiful cathedral, La Sagrada Família, with its soaring spires, arches, and columns. This modernist cathedral is still under construction, although work on the building began in 1882. As you will discover, the cathedral is one of the most popular Barcelona tourist attractions, so be prepared to wait in line for tickets. Touring the inside of this fantastic church is highly recommended; you will not find architecture similar to Gaudí’s work anywhere else, and La Sagrada Família is the highlight of his creativity.

Casa Milí, also called La Pedrera (the stone quarry), is another Gaudí masterpiece you cannot miss while touring Barcelona. This UNESCO World Heritage Site was built between 1906 and 1912, and it is now home to a cultural center that stages a variety of exhibitions and activities. You can join a guided tour to appreciate all the intricacies of this great work of whimsical architecture. Alternatively, visit La Pedrera by night to discover a totally different aspect of this unique building.

The famed Park Güell is yet one more Gaudí extravaganza. This fantastic Barcelona park features a number of stunning Gaudí designs, including the spectacular dragon fountain near the entrance, a variety of stone structures celebrating Gaudí’s love of nature, and colorful mosaic seating areas where you can admire the Barcelona skyline. A small house located in the park, once Gaudí’s home, is now a museum featuring a range of furnishings and objects designed by the multi-talented architect.

Barcelona is a fascinating city to visit and explore. These and other attractions are conveniently located near many different types of accommodations, from cheap sleeps to luxury rentals. The abundance of vacation rental choices provides you with the freedom to explore this traditional capital of Northern Spain at your own convenience.

Recently released figures show that Dubai saw higher-than-average growth in visitor numbers last year. The information from the country’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing indicates that they attracted 13.2 million visitors from around the world in 2014. This was a rise of 8.2 per cent, which was higher than the global average of 4.7 per cent.

The country now aims to draw in 20 million tourists a year by 2020. These figures cover all guests who stay in the country for a minimum of one night across all accommodation types, including cruise ships, hotels, and short-term rentals.

Growing destination for families

In addition to seeing the business market as a key factor in their success, Dubai Tourism Vision for 2020 also believes that families will enable them to grow even further. The upcoming two years will see a number of top attractions opening in the country that are aimed at those seeking a break for the whole family. These attractions include Dubai Parks and Resorts, Dubai Safari Park, and Dubai Opera House.

Dubai Parks and Resorts is set to open in October 2016, and it will be a prime attraction for tourists to the country. The sites will feature a host of areas, including Bollywood Parks, Motiongate, and Legoland. There will be a range of rides and shows, such as a Hunger Games-based attraction and a Step Up-themed stage show. The park is set to draw in 5.5 million people in 2017.

If you’re in town for this year’s Champions League final in Berlin or just crave a few nights away, the city has plenty to keep you occupied away from all the sporting action. For those who are looking for an interesting departure from the main tourist sites such as the Brandenburg Gate and Checkpoint Charlie, there are a number of interesting and different attractions you can visit. Once your accommodation is sorted, you can begin planning your perfect city break.

Art and dinner

Art lovers will be aware of the many galleries and exhibition spaces around Berlin, but there is one venue that might be new to even the most informed art lovers. If you enjoy unique pieces of art and delicious food, you’ll definitely appreciate the Zagreus Projekt. This is the brainchild of Ulrich Krauss, the gallery’s owner. He brings in an artist every two months to produce a unique installation. They then devise a menu together that complements the art, and groups of visitors have the chance to experience the visual piece while dining.

An unusual swimming venue

A dip in the pool is an essential part of vacation for many people, but this generally takes place in a conventional location. However, when you’re visiting Berlin, you have the opportunity to try something completely different. The Badeschiff is a river barge that has been converted into a pool and is now based on the Spree River. It turns into a nightclub after dark, and it has several saunas to enjoy during the winter months.

If you are planning a trip to New York this year, you might want to consider visiting some of the newest sights in the city. With a wide choice of apartment rentals, New York City is a perfect city break destination.

Culture vulture

For those who like to experience the arts and cultural side of a city, the relocated Whitney Museum of American Art is well worth a visit. The museum is now housed in a stunning nine-story building on Gansevoort Street that reflects the exhibits it holds. The new location boasts twice as much exhibition space as the previous one, and the museum also has a beautiful outdoor area full of exhibits and terraces.

Get a view of the city

The newly-built One World Trade Center has become the Western Hemisphere’s tallest building, and the One World Observatory at the top opens this spring. The observatory has a three-story deck that will provide an impressive view across the skyline. Visitors will also have the chance to take in a movie, eat at one of the many restaurants, or view some of the interactive exhibits.

Touch the Yankees

Even if you’re not a dedicated baseball fan, you?ll want to experience the new Hands on History Tour at the New York Yankees Stadium. This tour will give you the opportunity to touch a bat used by Babe Ruth, Derek Jeter’s jersey from the game in which he registered his 3,000th hit, and a selection of World Series rings. Tours take place on game days and start 90 minutes prior to the gates opening.